DOH warns vs. 3 'mas' as Christmas draws near

With Christmas fast approaching, the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reminded Filipinos to refrain from eating too much sweets, salt, and fats.

DOH spokesman Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo specifically warned against the three 'mas'— matamis, maalat, at mataba (sweet, salty, and fatty food). 

“‘Yang tatlong ‘yan—asin, asukal, at taba—’yan ang mga bagay na maaaring maging sanhi ng sakit katulad ng altapresyon, diabetes, o kaya ‘yung iba pang mga non-communicable diseases, kasama na ‘yung pagiging overweight or obese na nagiging problema sa ating puso at iba pang bahagi ng katawan,” he said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview. 

(Those three—salt, sugar, and fat—are the things that can cause diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, or other non-communicable diseases, including being overweight or obese, which can cause problems in our heart and other parts of the body.) 

Domingo said that people may use the “Pinggang Pinoy” as a food guide during Christmas and New Year celebration, so that they can keep a balanced and healthy diet. 

According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Pinggang Pinoy is a food guide that uses a food plate model to show the recommended proportion by food group in every meal to meet the body's energy and nutrient needs. 

“At dahil marami tayong kinakain, lagyan mo ‘yan ng ehersisyo. Galaw galaw para ‘wag agad pumanaw. Para bawas tayo sa nakakain nating kaloriya,” Domingo added. 

(And since we eat a lot, we also need to exercise. Keep moving so you don't die right away. This can burn the calories we consume.) 

The Health official also advised Filipinos to be disciplined and not drink alcohol to avoid any accidents this holiday season. —NB, GMA Integrated News